Kate Berlant Takes On The Art World And Creative Insecurity In ‘Netflix Presents: The Characters’

As we’ve mentioned a couple of times before, we’re big fans of Netflix’s new comedy series, The Characters. The show’s premise is as simple as it is smart: eight comedians are each given their own episode. There are no rules, and the only limits are these creators’ imaginations.

As a result of the amazing creative forces behind each episode, Netflix has created a series that accurately and hilariously showcases just how different and innovative the current comedy landscape is. Basically, it’s a must watch. We’ve already explored the work and motivations of Episode One’s Lauren Lapkus, Episode Two’s John Early, and Episode Three’s Henry Zebrowski. Today, we’re exploring the mastermind behind one of the most bitingly smart and silly voices on the series — Kate Berlant. Though she has had some acting roles, most notably in Those Who Can’t and HBO’s new comedy Animals, Berlant is best known for her stand up work.

Berlant’s stand up combines smart observations on and social issues with her quirky, stream-of-consciousness style. The result makes for some really great fast-paced and subversive comedy. Check out this clip of Berlant slaying on The Meltdown with Jonah & Kumail to get a sense of her stand-up style. I had a chance to talk to Berlant about what went into creating a a brand new array of characters for the special, what it was like working with her best friend, and what she has in common with her insane leading lady, an absorbed artist who is terrified of revealing she’s a fraud.

DECIDER: What was it like to work with Netflix creatively?

KATE BERLANT: It was really wonderful. Truly everyone that I encountered was so encouraging and was truly hands off, which is a term that’s thrown around a lot, but this truly was that. Very encouraging and open, and I think they did achieve what they put out to do.

D: How would you describe your brand of comedy?

KB: I should sit down and craft a three sentence answer to that question because it’s a completely reasonable question to ask and one that I’m constantly paralyzed in the face of.

It’s funny because stand up is primarily what I do. I mean, I act, obviously. I wrote completely new material for this … Because I don’t really have any characters that I do — I have like one character that I perform as sometimes, but I didn’t bring her into this. I kind of tried to do — the main character, the essential character in my Netflix special in some way does rub up against my stand up lightly in the way of hyperbolic language and kind of extreme confidence, but confidence that is also desperate and is also about to fall apart essentially … I’d say that I like things that kind of commit to absurdity or commit to ambiguity or confusion.

D: I can kind of see that appreciation of the absurd in your stand up, so that makes a lot of sense. Which character do you think you relate to most?

KB: Probably the central character, which is who I play, who is an artist, who is older than myself and is a very famous artist — that’s not why I relate to her. (laughs)

I guess she is very, the sort of loose structure of a — there’s this famous woman artist who’s coming up against, she has this huge show. She’s has a big opening coming up. And (her story is) about her fear and anxiety about that. It’s about her inability to really work on it or say anything concrete about it. And, kind of, her behavior that comes out, that kind of leaks out of this thing she’s created. Also other people — she’s kind of worshipped as her persona even though maybe that doesn’t make sense sometimes. It’s almost outwardly stupid … I guess sometimes, personally not so much, but stand up-wise, I relate the most to her just because of her use of language and her kind of hyperbolic — which I do, actually. My regular tendency is to play hyperbolically.

To be honest, when I really think about it, I don’t really relate to her so much. I don’t know personally how much I really relate to her.

D: What is your favorite moment from your episode?

KB: Oh man, it’s hard. I really love the scene where Denise is being interviewed and is kind of isn’t — I mean, that scene is so held together and elevated because of (Damien Young). There was so much devoted to that, and I could have honestly watched 20 minutes of just that scene. But I do love that interview so much with her. You kind of are seeing her fall apart in the face of essentially being asked, ‘What do you do?’ Which is so funny because right now you’re asking me ‘What do you do?’ And I can’t do it. (laughs)

D: It’s definitely a difficult question when the spotlight is on you.

KB: Yeah, but I think that relates to your other question. I relate to her complete inability to kind of talk about her work or maybe even a feeling of … we see in this interview she has a sort of a hostile personality and doesn’t want to answer any questions, and I sort of understand that. That being said, I don’t have any hostility about being asked or being interviewed, obviously, thank god. But I understand that confusion about how to define yourself … The expectations of being able to describe your own work and what you’re doing, what it’s meant to do, what it’s supposed to do, and what it’s supposed to elicit in other people. I struggle with those questions all the time. Or struggle with the general fatigue of those questions. And also the fear of being uncovered as a fraud at any second. She has that fear, and so do I.

D: Do you have anything you want viewers to take away from your episode?

KB: Just that I’m funny. (laughs) I mean, it sounds so simple, but I truly would be so happy if people would enjoy watching it. I can’t expect or try to manipulate any kind of reaction.

D: You collaborate a lot with John Early. What is it like now that you both have your own special on The Characters?

KB: Oh it’s so fun! I mean John is my collaborative partner and my best friend. It’s so fun to be in each other’s specials. I also brought John on as a creative consultant on mine, and it’s great because we know each other’s sensibilities so well and we have such a shared common language that we’re able — we have a shorthand that is so helpful when you’re just trying to get a good performance out.